Mary Allen
To make summer with a dog an unrivaled experience, we’ve compiled ten of the most important tips for the hottest days of the year.
Providing Drinking Water to Dogs Around the Clock
In the summer, regular drinking is a must for both two-legged and four-legged friends. You should provide your dog with fresh water throughout the day and always have something to drink with you when you go for a walk. You can also add electrolytes, a little broth, or table salt to the water. On the one hand, some dogs find the slightly salty taste delicious and are encouraged to drink. On the other hand, it helps to replenish the salt balance of the dog.
Create Shady Spots
In summer, dogs are especially comfortable in cool places. Tiles, stone floors, or a shady corner in the garden are what you need. With umbrellas, you can provide additional privacy. But be careful: Even in the shade, you can’t take your eyes off the dog. Even in areas protected from the sun, the temperature can become unbearable for your four-legged friend and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to heatstroke.” becomes restless, you should bring him to your apartment and ensure a comfortable room temperature.
Set Aside Your Walks for the Evening Hours
An excursion under the scorching midday sun can be a real danger for your four-legged friend in the middle of summer. We advise you to take long evening walks and pay special attention to older and chronically ill dogs. You should, of course, completely refrain from demanding dog sports such as agility in very high temperatures.
Regular Swimming Will Make the Summer With Your Dog a Highlight
A dog pool in your own garden or a visit to the lake where you can swim with your dogs can ensure that your four-legged friend can cool off successfully and that summer with your dog is a real treat. However, in order not to overload the cardiovascular system, never let your dog in hot water.
If your four-legged friend is not a water rat and avoids jumping into the lake, you can dampen his fur with lukewarm water and freshen up a little.
Never Leave Your Dog in the Car
Ignorance and negligence continue to cause dogs to stay in the car and die in summer temperatures. The insolation of the car heats up in a very short time due to the sun’s rays. Even with the window open, there is insufficient air circulation. To avoid heatstroke or even the death of the dog, you should always accompany your four-legged friend to the fresh air.
Do Not Keep Windows Open While Driving
Many pet owners want to do something nice for themselves and their furry friends and roll down their windows while driving. Opening the windows creates a draft in the vehicle that can be hazardous to the dog.
Summer Care
Dogs with particularly long and sturdy fur, such as Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, are especially troublesome in warm weather. Therefore, at mid-summer temperatures of around 30 ° C, owners of dogs with strong coat growth should consider trimming their four-legged companions to make life easier for them.
However, always check with your veterinarian and it is best to have your four-legged friend’s haircut done by a professional.
Summer With Your Dog: Provide Suitable Sun Protection
Dogs with normal coats rarely get sunburn. It looks a little different in freshly trimmed animals or dog breeds without hair or with very fine coats. Sometimes even the pale noses of dogs can be affected by sunburn.
Pay Special Attention to Susceptible Breeds
In addition to dog breeds with long and thick coats, Pugs, French Bulldogs and Boxers are also susceptible to heatstroke. These so-called brachycephalic races must struggle with breathing even in normal climates and can face very serious problems in extreme summer temperatures. So keep an eye on your dog for the first signs of impending heat stroke.
My Dog Has Heatstroke: How to Act in an Emergency
If despite all the precautions, an extreme has happened, you should act immediately and take the four-legged friend into the shadows. In the event of heatstroke, the dog should be cooled down as quickly as possible. Do this carefully. Do not pour a bucket of ice water over it, as this may cause shock. It is better to wrap your four-legged friend in cool and damp clothes or use quick-acting cold compresses. As soon as the condition of the dog has stabilized, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian. If necessary, he can initiate additional measures and provide the dog with infusions and drugs for emergency treatment.